Emefiele seeks Release of his Int’l Passport to seek Medical Treatment Abroad
By Ola Kay with additional reports
The prosecution in the trial of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, Godwin Emefiele, over alleged procurement scam on Tuesday presented his account statement before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory ,FCT.
Emefiele is being tried on a 20-count amended charge in which he is accused of conferring corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $6.23 million.
Prosecuting counsel in the matter, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) presented Emefiele’s Zenith Bank account statement through the eighth prosecution witness, Umar Abba Tilde.
Tilde stated that the statement was one of three sets of documents which was demanded from the Zenith bank by the anti-graft agency.
The witness revealed the statement had an entry of N4 million payment to Architekon Nigeria Limited on January 13, 2015.
He explained that sometime in November 2023, the EFCC requested account opening documents, a statement of account, and a certificate of identification on Emefiele’s account, which was granted.
The prosecuting counsel tendered the documents after the witness identified them, following which Justice Hamza Muazu admitted them in evidence in the absence of any objection from the defence lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN).
The witness corroborated the fact that the transactions as reflected in the statement represent the true state of transactions in the account.
During the cross-examination by Burkaa, Tilde responded that he did not know the purpose for which the N4 million was paid to Architekon.
The witness, who had 20 years experience with the Zenith bank admitted knowing that Emefiele also worked in the bank between 1990 and 2014 before he was appointed CBN Governor, in which capacity he served between 2014 and 2023.
The witness also agreed that the statement of account he submitted covered transactions from January 1, 2015, to November 6, 2023.
Tilde stated that he was aware that the defendant was entitled to salary, estacode and dividends on his shares while working in Zenith Bank.
Earlier, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ,ICPC, Michael Agboro, told the court that Emefiele awarded contracts to two firms – Architekon Nigeria Limited and April1616 Investment Limited – in which his wife, Margaret and a staff of the CBN, Sa’adatu Yaro have interests.
Ockiya-Ogeleye informed that she handles post-incorporation matters at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for Architekon, which include filing the company’s annual reports.
She added that she was being asked in 2021 to alter the number of the company’s directors, including the shareholder structure.
The witness stated that before 2021, Architekon had two directors: Omoile Makonbo and Omoile Margaret.
According to her, following the change, the company now has three directors: Omoile Makonbo, Omoile Margaret and Esther Oyeladun Adeohun.
The witness also told the court that after the directors were changed, the shareholding structure was also changed, with Omole Makonbo transferring 90,000 ordinary shares to Omoile Margaret and 100,000 ordinary shares to Esther Oyeladun Adeohun.She said the transfers were carried out on March 4, 2021.
The witness explained that the board resolution authorising the changes in the company’s directorship and the shareholding structure was passed by Omoile Makonbo and Omoile Margaret.
During the cross-examination by Burkaa, the witness said she dealt with Esther Oyeladun Adeohun all through and that they also communicated through email.
Ockiya-Ogeleye said the documents she worked with, including the board resolution were sent to her via email.
The witness said she did not see Omoile Margaret and Omoile Makonbo execute the documents.
Ockiya-Ogeleye said she was aware that Mrs. Margaret Omoile was not in the country at the time, adding that she did not even know who Margaret Omoile is.
After Mrs. Ockiya-Ogeleye’s testimony, Burkaa informed the court that his client (Emefiele) filed a motion praying the court to release his international passport to enable him to travel for medical attention.
Justice Muazu therefore, adjourned the continuation of the trial till July 8 for the hearing of the motion and October 21.
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